Get ready for SSP rebate scheme set to launch next week

On 19 May 2020 the Government announced the launch of the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme, part of a package of measures designed to support businesses through the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Scheme, announced during the March Budget, will be available online from 26 May 2020. It is open to small and medium sized employers with less than 250 staff to help recoup the costs of Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) for employees who were unable to work due to Covid-19.

Eligible businesses will be able to claim a repayment of up to two weeks’ payments of SSP per employee, starting from the first qualifying day of sickness. Claims can be made for employees unable to work because either they or someone they live with had Coronavirus symptoms, and/or are shielding and have a letter from the NHS telling them to stay at home for 12 weeks.

Employers can claim for an employee who’s eligible for sick pay due to Coronavirus as long as you have a PAYE payroll scheme that was created and started on or before 28 February 2020 and you had fewer than 250 employees on 28 February 2020.

You can claim for employees’ periods of sickness starting on or after:

• 13 March 2020 - if your employee had coronavirus or the symptoms or was self-isolating because someone they live with has symptoms
• 16 April 2020 - if your employee was shielding because of coronavirus

You can only make a claim for the statutory sick pay rate which is £94.25 per week before 6 April 2020 and £95.85 per week thereafter. You cannot claim for any enhanced sick pay you may have chosen to pay to the employee.

Businesses are advised to get ready now for when the online service opens on 26 May 2020.

To make a claim you will need:

• UK bank or building society details
• the amount of coronavirus SSP you have paid to your employees for the claim period
• the number of employees you are claiming for
• the start date and end date of the claim period

The Government has published an SSP calculator on the gov.uk website, so employers can work out the actual amount. This can be accessed here .

If you would like any further information relating to the scheme, either as an employer or an employee, contact Downs Solicitors to see how we can help.